Angela Rayner promises new law to boost workers' rights next month

Deputy prime minister Angela Rayner said on Sunday the government would introduce new legislation intended to give workers more rights next month.

The government is trying to balance demands from trade unions, who traditionally fund the governing Labour Party, and business leaders, who are concerned about some of the changes.

The Employment Rights Bill will include measures such as prohibiting zero-hour contracts, with about 1 million people in Britain on employment contracts that do not specify a minimum number of hours they can work and pay only for the hours they are on shift, and outlawing fire and rehire tactics.

Labour has also pledged to make parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal available from the first day on the job, although probation periods would remain in place.

Addressing the annual Labour Conference in Liverpool, Rayner told delegates that the bill will be tabled in the parliament when they return from recess.

“I promised the biggest upgrade to workers’ rights in a generation, nothing less than a new deal for working people, and I can confirm today that the Employment Rights Bill will be tabled in Parliament next month,” she said.

The government has promised to produce legislation within 100 days of the July national election. Some businesses say it is unclear what the government is planning.

Earlier last week, Rayner and business secretary Jonathan Reynolds met businesses and trade unions to discuss how to end zero-hour contracts, following Labour's pledge to end the "one-sided" flexibility such contracts offer and making sure that workers get reasonable notice of any changes in their shifts.

Retail trade union Usdaw welcomed the announcement.

“The new deal for workers is something that Usdaw long campaigned for and we are delighted that the deputy prime minister today confirmed that our new Labour Government is getting on with job in the first 100 days of taking power, as promised,” Paddy Lillis, Usdaw general secretary, said.

“Tackling low paid and insecure work will make a real difference to our members and finally ensure that all workers receive dignity and respect.”